Bradley Manning, the Army private who was sentenced this week to 35 years in prison for releasing restricted government documents to WikiLeaks, has announced that he would like to be known from here forward as Chelsea Manning, and intends to live as a woman.

In a statement, the former soldier said:

“I am Chelsea Manning. I am female. Given the way that I feel, and have felt since childhood, I want to begin hormone therapy as soon as possible. I hope that you will support me in this transition…. I also request that, starting today, you refer to me by my new name and use the feminine pronoun (except in official mail to the confinement facility). I look forward to receiving letters from supporters and having the opportunity to write back.”

During the trial, Chelsea’s lawyers presented claims that she had been struggling with gender identity for years, joining the Army as a way to exorcise the issues.

Obviously, that plan didn’t pan out.

Chelsea’s hoping to receive hormone therapy in prison to begin the physical transition to female life.

However, she will be housed in a military prison and the Army does not provide such a regimen, but her attorney, David Coombs, has declared he will do everything in his power to make sure the prison is required to provide the therapy.

A lot of adjustments in a short period of time. It'll be very interesting to see how this all pans out.

NO hero. So you all want to chip in your hard earned $s to pay for his/her hormone therapy??? Be my guest - not me! I don't care if he is transgender or not, but that medical burden shoud not be on the taxpayer.

I think 35 years is a damn bit harsh..damnit..murderers get much more less these days…I see it all the time..or some walk free (Zimmerman, o.j. , Casey Anthony..and many more..etc.) makes me sick..oh just her be a woman..what else will she have to do for 35 Years?35 is way to long..way way to long"!!just crazy in my opinion…

He is the perfect example that opponents of gays in the military will use
He said he leaked the info, because his boyfriend broke up with him, and he was upset
Now he wants to be called Chelsea, and start female hormones
This of course will keep him out of the general prison population, where he knows he will get beaten up
But it sends a terrible message
Just think of all the transgender individuals who cant afford expensive surgery, they can now join the army, and get sexual reassignment (cost $100,000 +),

He intends to live as a woman in a men's prison, or is this guy trying to weasel his way into a female prison because it might be easier to deal with? He/she/it deserves whatever it has coming to them. Traitor to their country!

and who is PAYING for this crap? Those of us who work 4 to 5 months a year to pay taxes? I don't get to start paying myself until June. I work Jan thru June to pay uncle sam so he can give my hard earned money to other idiots who have kids they can't support and pay for crap like this. He's gonna be the "girl" for the next 35 years anyway. give him a wig and some makeup and let him play woman.

Re: IzzyLizzy – The story did not say if it was State or Federal prison. If it is Federal they are a lot less lenient on early release, at least from what I have read. If State it depends, in California, yes, he might be out that early. In a Midwest state, my nephew served a full 6 months, no early release due to overcrowding.

Lets see 35 years in Leavenworth Federal Prison you need not worry about expense, they will make him a girl and pass her around like a well read book. Bradley your going to find out what Leaker really means.

So we all know what’s going on with Manning, but from what I gather many aren’t aware of just what information was leaked. To those looking to get informed, I suggest you start here: about midway through the article.

Re: Rosemary – Actually, it was decided in judicial court that leaking footage of rogue soldiers killing civilians, and leaking classified information didn't threaten anyone's life. This was decided in the COURTS, don't make silly statements about lives being in danger if you haven't even been following this story. Only thing he threatened was the integrity of our legal system and government.

Shane Redway -- a Canadian rapper and close friend of Drake's -- was killed early Saturday morning in a car crash. He was just 26 years old.

Redway and two others were killed when their car lost control, struck a guardrail and burst into flames. The crash occurred around 4am outside Pearson International Airport in Toronto. It's unclear who was behind the wheel. Police are investigating the crash.

Drake took to Instagram to remember Redway, posting two different tributes.